Premier League next fixtures in title race including Liverpool, Arsenal and City

Aston Villa have put the cat firmly among the pigeons in the Premier League title race after two excellent wins in the space of four days.

Unai Emery’s side blew Manchester City away in midweek and followed that up with a hard-fought victory over Arsenal to continue their incredible run of form. Villa now lie third, just two points off leaders Liverpool with the Gunners sandwiched in-between.

City however, remain the favourites with the bookmakers, having returned to form on Sunday with a comeback win over Luton. And Tottenham were another side to end a winless run, and did so emphatically by hammering Newcastle 4-1.

As the title race continues to take shape, Mirror Football looks at what’s in store for the main contenders over what could be a critical Christmas and New Year period.

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Liverpool

Next six Premier League games:Manchester United (H), Arsenal (A), Burnley (A), Newcastle (H), Bournemouth (A), Chelsea (A).

There’s only so many times you can be accused of getting away with one. The Reds took nine points in seven days from Fulham, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace, without ever being at their best. And despite the media frenzy that will surround the clash, that winning form should continue on Sunday against Man United before a potentially already defining day in the title race on December 23, when they welcome Arsenal at Anfield.

The four fixtures that follow are ones where, on current form, Jurgen Klopp’s team will start favourites. But negotiating them won’t be easy with Joel Matip now ruled out for the rest of the season and Mo Salah heading to the AFCON prior to the Bournemouth trip. From the 18 points to play for, if the Reds come away with 14 at least, they’ll remain firmly in the hunt.

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Arsenal

Next six Premier League games:Brighton (H), Liverpool (A), West Ham (H), Fulham (A), Crystal Palace (H), Nottingham Forest (A).

It was a frustrating night at Villa Park for Mikel Arteta’s men on Saturday, but a pivotal test of their mettle comes now.

Overcoming Brighton at home won’t be easy, but is a must ahead of THAT game in Liverpool. The Gunners led 2-0 at Anfield last season but only came away with a point, and will need to combine composure with commitment under the lights with a passionate crowd against them.

Crucially, at a time when squads are battling workload and fatigue, the following three games all take place in London before a trip to struggling Nottingham Forest. Do the business in the next two, and Arsenal fans will fancy being in control of the race by the end of January.

Aston Villa

Next six Premier League games:Brentford (A), Sheffield United (H), Manchester United (A), Burnley (H), Everton (A), Newcastle (H).

They’ve roared into the title race, but now Villa must be wary of what happens after the Lord Mayor’s show.

Brentford away and Sheffield United home are the sort of games you need to get through to seriously challenge, especially when you still have European football to contend with. A visit to Old Trafford on Boxing Day won’t be simple either and for a side who still need to improve their away form, Goodison Park is currently a trip laced with jeopardy.

There are few current concerns with the home form of Unai Emery’s side. But in terms of their title ambitions, it will be futile taking nine points from the Villa Park clashes if they don’t produce the goods on the road.

Man City

Next six Premier League games: Crystal Palace (H), Everton (A), Sheffield United (H), Newcastle (A), Burnley (H), Brentford (A).

For the champions, their next six league fixtures will be spread out over a longer period due to their involvement in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

In reality, an in-form City with a firing Erling Haaland would be expected to take 18 points from their next 18. However, a current injury issue for the Norwegian, coupled with that Middle East trip, makes things anything but simple.

Expect Palace to be dispatched but Goodison Park is not the place you want to visit two days after Christmas. St James’ Park is also a venue where City have already lost this season but with Pep Guardiola’s side back to winning ways, and the return of Kevin de Bruyne imminent, expect the champions to start to surge.

Tottenham

Next six Premier League games: Nottingham Forest (A), Everton (H), Brighton (A), Bournemouth (H), Burnley (H), Manchester United (A).

Are Tottenham back in the Premier League title race? Their emphatic return to form against Newcastle suggested they remain firm top four contenders. And come January, with the expected returns of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, they’ll be that much stronger.

Their next six games are all ones that fans will perceive as winnable, with Brighton away on December 28 set to be a great watch for the neutral. However, given the do-or-die style imposed by Ange Postecoglou, Spurs could take anything from three points to 18 in the six games that follow. So strap yourselves in.

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